Changes in hydrothermal conditions in the arable layer of chernozem when mulching with cut straw

Abstract

The  research  goal  was  to  study  the  trends  in  the  influence  of  the  mulching  layer of cut straw on the change in hydrothermal conditions of the arable soil layer. The object of study was one of the most common soils of the Altai region – leached loamy chernozem. The plots for the experiment were laid on a steam field. One of the sections was mulched on the surface with a layer of cut straw 10-15  mm  thick,  on  the  other  section  the  mulch  layer  was  20-25  mm.  The  third  section  of  the  black vapor was used for contrast control measurements. According to the measurements, it was revealed that in the mulched observation areas there was a noticeable decrease in soil temperature during the daytime both on the surface and in the entire arable layer compared to the control one. At night, a layer of cut straw prevented a sharp change in temperatures and contributed to the preservation of heat. The thickness of  the  mulching  layer  determined  the  temperature  values  of  the  arable  layer  during  the  daytime and at night. A layer of mulch on the soil surface contributed to the preservation of soil moisture reserves in the arable soil horizon. With an increase in the size of the mulching layer, there was a tendency for better moisture retention. The use of mulching of the surface layer of the soil with cut straw is advisable in arid regions to reduce the absolute values of the temperatures of the arable layer and reduce the evaporation of soil moisture from its surface, as well as to preserve moisture in the arable horizon of the soil.